Darian McBain, global director of sustainable development at Thai Union. (Photo: Thai Union)

Thai Union restates its tuna sustainability strategy

Thai Union Group PCL intends to ensure a minimum of 75 per cent of its branded tuna is sustainably sourced by 2020, as it is revealed in its first annual Tuna Commitment Progress Report.

This document provides a public update on the company’s SeaChange® sustainability strategy.

Thai Union’s Tuna Commitment also comprises an investment of USD 90 million in initiatives that will increase the supply of sustainable tuna, including the establishment of 11 new fishery improvement projects (FIPs) around the world to guarantee sustainable fish stocks, minimized environmental impacts and improved management in those fisheries.

The company defines sustainably sourced tuna as tuna from fisheries either already certified according to the standards of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or involved in FIPs working toward achieving standards required for MSC certification.

To promote transparency, Thai Union announced it would provide a progress report annually for its commitment to 100 percent sustainable tuna when it was introduced in December 2016.

The Tuna Commitment Progress Report highlighted key successes for Thai Union in 2017, including:

• The activation of six tuna FIPs publicly trackable, once formalized, on fisheryprogress.org;
• A close working relationship with retailers to help advance and achieve their sustainability commitments;
• Engagement with governments, civil society and Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs) to ensure correct regulation and legislation is in place to effectively regulate fisheries;
• A commitment to the World Economic Forum’s Tuna 2020 Traceability Declaration supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
• A reaffirmation of the Tuna Commitment at the Our Ocean conference in Malta;
• And, the announcement of a landmark agreement with Greenpeace.

Since the beginning of 2018, more than 90 per cent of branded tuna sold by Thai Union Europe has been sourced from a fishery already certified to the standards of the MSC or a FIP working to achieve MSC standards.

Furthermore, 14.2 per cent of Thai Union’s branded tuna worldwide is currently sourced from MSC-certified fisheries, while two of Thai Union’s international brands (Hawesta in Germany and Genova in North America) have been launched with a fully MSC-certified supply.

“Today, more than ever, Thai Union has fully embraced our role at the forefront of driving positive change. Our substantial investment aims to transform tuna sourcing for the entire industry and demonstrates our strong commitment to the sustainability of our oceans,” said Dr. Darian McBain, global director of sustainable development at Thai Union.

“We are proud of the progress we have made on our commitment to source 100 per cent sustainable tuna and look forward to continuing our work with civil society, business and governments to support sustainable fishing practices,” the director concluded.
 

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